Talk about taking your relationship to new heights.
Two masked climbers who scaled the top of New York City’s Empire State Building, unfurled a peace banner, and appeared to share a marriage proposal and kiss are now in police custody.
The man and woman climbed to the top of the building’s 200-foot spire Wednesday afternoon, July 1, and displayed a banner reading, “When the power of love beats the love of power, the world knows peace.”
In footage captured by television helicopters and bystanders, the man appeared to get down on one knee before the pair embraced and kissed.
Authorities said the two eventually descended to street level, where they were taken into custody.
Charges Are Still Pending
The New York City Police Department said the climbers were not injured and that the incident remains under investigation.
Police have not yet announced what charges the pair may face, and it remains unclear how they gained access to the building’s restricted upper sections.
However, legal experts say the stunt could expose the pair to several criminal offenses.
Potential charges could include criminal trespass for entering restricted areas of the iconic skyscraper and reckless endangerment for allegedly putting themselves, emergency responders and others at risk.
Under New York law, criminal trespass charges range from misdemeanors to felonies depending on how a person enters or remains in a restricted area.
Reckless endangerment can also carry felony penalties if prosecutors believe the conduct created a grave risk of death to another person.
Additional charges could be considered if investigators determine that security measures were bypassed, alarms were triggered or any property was damaged.
Prosecutors could also explore charges related to burglary if investigators conclude the pair unlawfully entered a secured area with the intent to commit another crime.
The couple could also face significant financial consequences if the stunt prompted a major emergency response or disrupted operations at the building.
Exactly what charges, if any, are ultimately filed will likely depend on how the pair gained access to the spire and whether investigators determine that anyone else was placed in danger.
Possible Financial Consequences
Beyond criminal charges, the climbers could also face steep financial repercussions.
Incidents involving unauthorized climbs often trigger significant emergency responses involving police, firefighters and aviation units. Authorities sometimes seek restitution for the costs associated with those responses, particularly when public resources are diverted for avoidable emergencies.
The owners of the Empire State Building could also potentially pursue civil action for security breaches, business disruptions or any damage resulting from the incident.
Federal Questions Could Arise
The Empire State Building rises 1,250 feet above Midtown Manhattan, with its spire extending another 200 feet into the sky. The upper sections of the structure contain communications equipment and restricted infrastructure.
If investigators determine that any broadcast or communications systems were tampered with, federal authorities could potentially become involved. No evidence has emerged that the pair interfered with any equipment.
A Stunt That Left Onlookers Stunned
Videos recorded by bystanders captured confusion and disbelief as the pair stood atop the tower. In air traffic control audio reviewed by NBC News, one person can be heard saying, “Geniuses climbed to the top of the Empire State Building, the top of the spire.”
“A little hot for that, isn’t it?” someone replied.
While the couple’s message may have been about peace and love, the legal aftermath could be far less romantic.
